Dictionary

scratchy en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /ˈskɹæt͡ʃi/
• (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

Etymology tree English scratch Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz Proto-West Germanic *-g Old English -iġ Middle English -y English -y English scratchy From scratch + -y.

Meanings

1. Characterized by scratches.
   • An indulgent playmate, Grannie would lay aside the long scratchy-looking letter she was writing (heavily crossed ‘to save notepaper’) and enter into the delightful pastime of ‘a chicken from Mr Whiteley's’. 1977, Agatha Christie, chapter 4, in An Autobiography, part I, London: Collins, →ISBN:
2. (of a sore throat) Irritating; itchy.
3. (informal, of an analogue radio transmission) Noisy, lossy; marred by white noise or static as a result of poor or low signal, interference or unfavourable atmospheric conditions.
   • The FM station two hundred miles away was receivable, but the audio was too scratchy to positively identify.
4. (of a phonograph record) Having popping and/or crackling sounds due to excessive wear, especially from scratch marks.
   • Once he almost fell asleep, and then the little record player started up in his mother and father's bedroom. Mom was playing her scratchy Elvis 45s again. 1991, Stephen King, Needful Things:
5. (informal) Irritable; tetchy.
   • 'Now, now, don't get scratchy,' said Casali. 'You've got enough troubles of your own. […] 1978, Attilio Veraldi, The Payoff, page 105:

Forms